Under fire: KRC leader, guard and ASI killed in attack

Eight motorcyclists came and began firing at KRC office .

KARACHI: Situation in Lyari got tense after unidentified gunmen shot and killed the leader of Kutchi Rabita Committee (KRC) on Sunday night.

According to initial reports, Rasheed Kutchi, alias Builder,  37, alias High Court Wala, was sitting at his office which is under an under-construction building at Ghausia Road in Agra Taj Colony. The assailants arrived and opened fire at the office, resulting in injuries to six people. They were taken to Civil hospital where Rasheed and his security guard, 33-year-old Zubair, and ASI Khalil succumbed to injuries. Khalil was also sitting at the office when it was attacked. Three others are admitted in the hospital.

Rasheed Kutchi is well-known personality of Lyari. He was employed at the Sindh High Court and after he retired he got into construction business. According to the police, the victims were watching the Pakistan versus India cricket match when at least eight to 10 motorcyclists barged into the office and opened fire. Tension prevailed in in Agra Taj Colony, Daryabad, Nayabad, Khadda Market, Kutchi Memon Society, Al-Falah Road and Bihar Colony. These areas echoed with the gunshots as members of the KRC and Peoples Amn Committee fired at each other.

A heavy contingent of police and Rangers reached the areas but were unable to control the situation and had to call for backup.  Leaders of the committee blamed the outlawed Peoples Amn Committee (PAC) for the attack. “The PAC targets our members because it fears losing its power.”

However, the PAC chief, Zafar Baloch, denied the allegations and said that they were ready to cooperate with KRC to try and solve the case. “We are ready for punishment if anyone has any evidence to prove that we were involved.”

Meanwhile, KRC supporters and relatives of the victims gathered at Mauripur Road. They blocked the main thoroughfare, while a heavy contingent of law enforcers reached the site to negotiate with them.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 19^th, 2012.